Chicago North Shore and Wisconsin won their second round matches in the DI Midwest, and both were significant. North Shore took on Chicago in the always-heated cross-city rivalry and banked a 38-7 victory, while Wisconsin took down the Minnesota Valkyries 40-17 in its first league win since graduating from DII rugby. [Photo: David Hovde]
In the Wisconsin-Minnesota showdown, 25 minutes elapsed before the scoreboard lit up, courtesy of Valkyries outside center Ashley Wittrock. The match could have unraveled when Wisconsin received a yellow card minutes later, but instead, Wisconsin co-captain Ashley Shaw dotted down, and Elise Becker’s conversion gave their team a 7-5 lead.
Wisconsin’s Emily Mastandrea and Minnesota’s Hannah Kirkman scored before the break, but a second Becker conversion put the former DII side on top, 14-10.
The Valkyries fell prey to a yellow card early in the second stanza (and later a red card), but managed to put wing Erika Crosby into the try zone for the go-ahead points. Whitney Swenson’s conversion was the last from Minnesota, however, 17-14.
In the 53rd minute, fullback Sybil Levine’s try put Wisconsin ahead for good, and tries from Laura Adams, Grace Hovde and Tamara Wade followed, as did Becker conversions, 40-17 the final.
“We steadily gained momentum as the match went on. Our open-field play was strong Saturday and we played aggressively and with discipline, taking advantage of opportunities and pressuring mistakes,” Wisconsin forwards captain Hovde summarized. “We played as a team and supported each other which led to some really gratifying team tries.
“The higher level of competition in division one is a great challenge for our club, especially with a new coach and substantial player turnover,” Hovde continued. “I think it pushes newer players and calls veteran players to rededicate themselves. Our win on Saturday just reinforces the fact that we are ready for more competitive play. We will carry our positivity and enthusiasm on through the rest of the season!”
Despite the rivalry, there was less drama in Illinois. Chicago North Shore took a 26-0 halftime lead before flanker Erin Levy scored Chicago’s try. No. 8 Sarah Anderson added the conversion for the second half’s opening points.
The 2015 finalist got good performances out of its wings, rookie Devon Gold (2) and Gabby Whittinghill, who accounted for 23 points on three tries and four conversions. Player-coach and No. 8 Christiane Pheil also scored a try for the 38-7 final.
The halfback pairing of Sara Shanley and Kathleen Stanley also stood out Saturday. Flyhalf Stanley did well to maintain continuity and was solid in defense. DI Black Ice transfer Shanley “has quickly integrated into our structure,” Pheil praised the scrumhalf. “She does a fantastic job controlling the pace of the game and keeping us organized.”
In the forwards, Sidney Montano was key off the bench, making an impact with her tackling and support lines and fortifying the scrum from lock.
North Shore is now 2-0 in the Midwest, having defeated the Valkyries 77-0 in week one, while Wisconsin is 1-1 after a 24-10 loss to Detroit. Wisconsin travels to Chicago North Shore this weekend, while Detroit hosts Chicago.